The early part of the week here at the Daytona International Speedway is expected to be perfect. Local meteorologists are calling for the possibility of storms on Friday and Saturday with a spotty chance of rain for race on Sunday.

Yesterday marked the 13th anniversary of Dale Earnhardt's crash here that cost his life in 2001. A statue of the Intimidator greets visitors at the Daytona USA museum on the grounds here and it was a frequently visited spot yesterday where some fans brought their flowers in remembrance of the NASCAR legend.

Monday was a memorable day at Daytona. And while the drivers may have been off the track, that wasn’t the case for everyone. The Richard Petty Driving School has a setup here and I was able to ride in a Generation Five car for three laps.

Welcome from Daytona International Speedway. I covered my first NASCAR race in 1987 at Watkins Glen. Must confess, I didn’t know much about the sport, but quickly got hooked mainly because of the great television it provided with the breathtaking sights and sounds.